Barnes named to head ESU’s Center for Business and Economic Development

June 8, 2011

A longtime instructor in Emporia State University’s School of Business will take the reins of the Center for Business and Economic Development beginning July 1.

Bill Barnes, director of the university’s MBA program since 2009 and an instructor in the Department of Business Administration and Education since 2001, has 30-plus years of increasing responsibility in business management, serving as a plant manager of the Modine Manufacturing plant in Emporia and as president of Baldwin Kansa Corp.

During his tenure at ESU, Barnes has primarily taught operations management and principles of management. In addition, Barnes coordinates training programs with outside businesses and organizations.

The Center for Business and Economic Development provides research and workforce development services using faculty, staff, and community resources to support and develop businesses and organizations in the extended community of Emporia State University.

“Mr. Barnes will represent the university well and will contribute much to the community.” Said Dr. H. Joseph Wen, Jones Distinguished Professor and dean of the School of Business.

Barnes earned a bachelor’s degree in management and a master of business administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va. He also graduated from U.S. Army Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth.

He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1970 until 2001 when he retired with the rank of colonel. Barnes has held numerous positions at Emporia State University including a two-year term as executive director of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame.

In the Emporia community, Barnes has served as a board member and chairman of the Newman Regional Health board of trustees, been president of the Emporia Rotary Club, past chairman of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and past president of United Way of the Flint Hills. Currently, he is treasurer and chairman of the finance committee of the Emporia Community Foundation.